Thursday, April 28, 2011

I'm thrilled to be back designing with the Pals at the Pals Paper Arts. This week we are challenging everyone to break out their buttons and create with us. I just started using buttons on my cards this year. I always admired the cards that had buttons on them, but I could never seem to make it work for me. After a few trial and errors, I have come to love using buttons on my cards.

Here is a photo for some inspiration ...

I had a lot fun playing with this one. My inky fingers grabbed some buttons and created this ...

The brown and orange that I used for this card are the school colors. I wanted something that was not bulky to mail and simple to make for mass producing. This sketch was the perfect solution for that!

I tried to make this cute little mouse masculine since I had used the stamp for Bethany's graduation announcement card also. Sure didn't want Michael to think he was getting a girl mouse on his card. Think it worked??? Below is the card that I made for Bethany's graduation back in 2009.

I hope you will find some time to play around at the Pals Paper Arts with this great sketch!

Monday, April 18, 2011

I found a few minutes this afternoon to migrate to my craft room. It felt great to put a stamp and ink in my hands. Bring on the inky fingers again ... such a great feeling.

Since the stamping desire has not been there for a few weeks, I decided I wanted to do something simple. The perfect challenge was just waiting to be played with. This week The Paper Players are hosting a CAS (clean and simple) sketch. Here it is ...

Below is what I created for my nephew. I wanted a thank you card to send him for being such a wonderful tour guide at the Master's. What an awesome experience that was.

Stamps: Bold & Bright (retired 2000), Happy Moments

Paper: White, Night of Navy, Brocade Blue, Cherry Cobbler

Ink: Brocade Blue, Night of Navy

Accessories: CB embossing folder, circle punch (non SU)

All products are SU unless otherwise noted.

I rotated the sketch to work with the border stamp.

CAS is supposed to show lots of white space, but my card just didn't look very good so I added the Night of Navy and embossed it. Thought it might pass as bubbles in the water.

I keep thinking it needs a little something extra, but that would defeat the CAS challenge. So Stanley will get this as is and I hope he enjoys it.

I apologize for the not so great picture. I took it late this afternoon and the sun had already gone behind the clouds and was determined not to shine again.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Just a quick up-date that I wanted to share. The Design Team over at the Pals Paper Arts have asked me to continue on as part of their team. How wonderful is that ... very awesome! Unfortunately, Gina is so busy that she is having to step down. Gina, you will be missed and I have very talented shoes to try and fill. This position is perfect for me ... part-time. Meaning that I will post a card every other week.

I am just getting back from our vacation. It started in Atlanta, GA for some soccer games, then on to my brother's to go to the Master's on Sunday and from there we went to Charleston, SC for the rest of the week. Charleston is a fun city and I would love to go back there again. It was a great vacation and I'm glad to be back home. I missed my pups and kitty and they missed us too. They are sticking to me like glue today.

I'm already looking forward to my next vacation ... Disney World. Woo-hoo can hardly wait to see Mickey, Minnie and the crew next month. Best part of this vacation, Bethany will be with us. She didn't get to make this one due to school. UAB had their spring break back in March.

I feel refreshed so hopefully my desire to stamp is back too. Hope to find some time this weekend to venture into my craft room and make a card or two.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Today is my son's 18th birthday. It is already hitting me that he will be graduating on May 20th and heading off to college in August. My hubby and I will become empty nester's. Ok, I am not looking forward to that.

As for stamping, I've misplaced that desire and haven't found it yet. How sad is it to say, I'm not even missing my craft room. I'm in a rut and will hopefully get my mojo back real soon. The first part of this month is shot ... lots of fun activities planned. Hopefully I will come back full of creative ideas!

Michael is a very simple kind of guy ... no plaid shorts or bright colors would ever be found in his closet. Drives me crazy with all the awesome colors out there. Yes, he takes after his Dad ... lol. With that in mind, here is his birthday card ...

I had punched out a border to add under my star panel but I couldn't get it to look right. I thought I would try something different at that point, and sponge over the border and then take it off. I always like a new experiment. Not quite sure what I think of this, but will probably try it again.

This layout actually came from The Paper Players a couple of weeks ago. That tells you how long it took me to finish this baby. :)

All about me...

I love creating cards. A bit about me...
I am a Domestic Engineer and have a fabulous husband who is so supportive of my hobby of stamping. We have a daughter, 25, son, 23, and two whippets. Life is great...